Stage 3 Kidney Disease and Diet: What can I eat?

It seems there is very little you can eat that is healthy for the Kidneys. The web site Davida has plenty of food on it but contradicts what other sources say. Anyone know anything for breakfast, lunch and dinner that does not have any sugar or flour bodies the obvious boring or bland foods good for Kidneys and I’m allergic to sugar of any kind of sweetener and flour. Thank you.

@fiesty76 , Lots of good edibles on a renal diet! Somewhere in this thread is a free cownloadable copy of an early recipe collection. Currently working on a second one as new discoveries are made and new things come to light and will be posting those recipes sometime in 2020.

@randyr I received a list of oxalates in foods from Mayo several years ago and have also responded well to the low oxalate diet. As a result I was removed from the kidney transplant list and am still being followed. Last spring I had a bizarre change in my diet when I suddenly discovered I could eat dairy again. For about 3 months I ate Yogurt, Cottage Cheese, ice cream and had bowl after bowl of dry cereal with milk. Then suddenly it was over. What I did not realize until later was that the dairy is not recommended for kidney patients. My oxalates were sky high in July, but have now returned to 2.1 with a normal of

what test is there to determine the level of oxalate in our system – blood? urine? i was just put on a low oxalate diet, low sodium, but am finding various conflicting lists of "low oxalate" foods. My urologist gave me a UPMC (university of philadelphia) low oxalate list..wheat is a definite no, but on another page, it lists graham crackers as ok… wheat is in graham crackers. it's just confusing.

@carnes I’m type 1 Diabetic and have CKD (wavering between stage 3 & stage 4). I have an autonomic neuropathy complication called gastroparesis that gets aggravated by high fiber foods, particularly legumes & cabbage. I’ve been blessed to not have food allergies and I’m not a picky eater at all. I’ve been on a carb:insulin counting low sodium diet for a long time. I generally avoid fat and go with a moderate amount of lean protein. I’ve had pretransplant (kidney) evaluations and reviews. The nutritionists tell me to “eat for the kidney labs”. My nephrologist monitors labs and I currently have no restrictions such as potassium or phosphorus. The thing that was most helpful for me was seeing a dietician to figure out the requirements of my medical conditions as they came up and develop a plan that worked for me.

If you like garlic….I have found that McCormick Perfect Pinch Garlic and Herb SALT FREE seasoning is great on lots of things. I almost always use it on meat. For broccoli or cauliflower a squeeze of lemon seems to make it seem sweeter and adds another layer of flavor. I also like slicing a tomato, topping it with a slice of fresh mozzarella and some avocado and putting an oil and balsamic vinegar dressing on it. The balsamic vinegar is the key here. Not sure if these are good for diabetic but they work for me (level 3 kidney).

I don't see the post I wrote last week so I'll post it again. I got very depressed the past couple of months and did not stick to the diet totally.
I said I thought I had found a lump on my left side and it got so painful after having an x Ray that showed nothing. I was supposed to have an ultra sound on kidney and bladder and chest advised from New kidney Dr. Because I had such pain on left side I had to call an ambulance and they did all those tests at the hospital. It seems I was having muscle spasms. They gave me meds and now they are gone.
Now, the good news . The Dr. talked to me at the hospital and said, all your tests are normal. I said what about my kidneys. He said going off the Arthritis meds, there is no sign of kidney disease. They're normal. I couldn't believe it. He said over the years the Arthritis meds were causing my kidneys to shut down. Thank you Lord. I may be in pain without Arthritis meds and have to use my walker all the time
but it is worth it.
I pray for all of you suffering from this terrible disease and be sure to check your meds and what ones could be hurting your kidneys. I'm sure your Dr will. I am one of the lucky ones that the Dr. caught this before I got worse.
I will be checking in to see how everyone is doing and say prayers for all of you.

If you like garlic….I have found that McCormick Perfect Pinch Garlic and Herb SALT FREE seasoning is great on lots of things. I almost always use it on meat. For broccoli or cauliflower a squeeze of lemon seems to make it seem sweeter and adds another layer of flavor. I also like slicing a tomato, topping it with a slice of fresh mozzarella and some avocado and putting an oil and balsamic vinegar dressing on it. The balsamic vinegar is the key here. Not sure if these are good for diabetic but they work for me (level 3 kidney).

@nene22 As a fellow kidney patient, in Stage 3B [GFR about 33%] I follow a fairly strict renal diet No potatoes/tomatoes/bananas/dairy/ beans/avocado/etc. due to phosphorus and potassium levels. Even though my doctors also said there was no need to restrict my foods, I have proven that my progression of the disease has slowed tremendously, only dropping 6 points in 4 years. @kamama94 has posted a great recipe book here on Mayo Connect that helps us all!
Ginger

@nene22 As a fellow kidney patient, in Stage 3B [GFR about 33%] I follow a fairly strict renal diet No potatoes/tomatoes/bananas/dairy/ beans/avocado/etc. due to phosphorus and potassium levels. Even though my doctors also said there was no need to restrict my foods, I have proven that my progression of the disease has slowed tremendously, only dropping 6 points in 4 years. @kamama94 has posted a great recipe book here on Mayo Connect that helps us all!
Ginger

Some growers and distributors now are making available some foods kidney patients were told to avoid in the past.

My favorite grocery store now carries baby blonde and baby strawberry red potatoes in a steamable bag of 3 servings per bag. One serving is only five tiny potatoes. BUT! They are delicious and fillling. They are not meant to be peeled but can be and can be soaked 2 hours before preparing to reduce potassium, etc., even more than it already is. I don't steam the potatoes, I open the bag and take out 5 then re-seal and put the bag in the fridge, something you normally wouldn't do with potatoes but this keeps them fresh. 5 Hy-Vee baby potatoes = 80 cal 100.8 ? mg P 480 mg K 35 mg Na 2 Gm prtn. If you track your potassium intake and are in Stage 3, you probably aren't taking in more than 1500-1700 mg K daily and 480 mg of potassium in the mini potatoes approaches 1/3 of your daily potassium limit. If I'm careful to watch potassium content of other foods that day, these potatoes are an occasionable allowable treat!

Some growers and distributors now are making available some foods kidney patients were told to avoid in the past.

My favorite grocery store now carries baby blonde and baby strawberry red potatoes in a steamable bag of 3 servings per bag. One serving is only five tiny potatoes. BUT! They are delicious and fillling. They are not meant to be peeled but can be and can be soaked 2 hours before preparing to reduce potassium, etc., even more than it already is. I don't steam the potatoes, I open the bag and take out 5 then re-seal and put the bag in the fridge, something you normally wouldn't do with potatoes but this keeps them fresh. 5 Hy-Vee baby potatoes = 80 cal 100.8 ? mg P 480 mg K 35 mg Na 2 Gm prtn. If you track your potassium intake and are in Stage 3, you probably aren't taking in more than 1500-1700 mg K daily and 480 mg of potassium in the mini potatoes approaches 1/3 of your daily potassium limit. If I'm careful to watch potassium content of other foods that day, these potatoes are an occasionable allowable treat!

@rosemarya, CKD patients are told to watch and limit sodium, phosphorus, and potassium. Sometimes they also need to limit protein. Some of the foods we are told to limit or avoid, usually because of high potassium content ailing kidneys no longer can filter and excrete efficiently are potatoes, tomatoes, dried beans, avocados, bananas, oranges, etc. High phosphorus drinks like dark colas should be avoided. Red meat should be limited or avoided and in some cases, as in mine, a low-meat or even vegetarian or vegan diet is recoommended.

Lately, though, some foods which were to be limited or avoided in the past now come in more kidney-friendly form like the lower-potassium baby potatoes or the Roma tomatoes. Also, my recipe collection addresses ways to prepare potatoes so there's less potassium in them.

If you like garlic….I have found that McCormick Perfect Pinch Garlic and Herb SALT FREE seasoning is great on lots of things. I almost always use it on meat. For broccoli or cauliflower a squeeze of lemon seems to make it seem sweeter and adds another layer of flavor. I also like slicing a tomato, topping it with a slice of fresh mozzarella and some avocado and putting an oil and balsamic vinegar dressing on it. The balsamic vinegar is the key here. Not sure if these are good for diabetic but they work for me (level 3 kidney).

@nene22 That sounds great for a rare treat for me . . . followed by an anti-diarrheal. I cannot tolerate fats, so the mozzarella, avocado and oil would put me over the edge. It sounds lovely though, that is why I would still eat it for special occasions without the oil. I love Balsamic also.

what test is there to determine the level of oxalate in our system – blood? urine? i was just put on a low oxalate diet, low sodium, but am finding various conflicting lists of "low oxalate" foods. My urologist gave me a UPMC (university of philadelphia) low oxalate list..wheat is a definite no, but on another page, it lists graham crackers as ok… wheat is in graham crackers. it's just confusing.

@mjctexas My oxalate tests use blood and urine. I have found the lists on the internet to be confusing and contradictory. How old is your list? The list I use I got from my clinical assistant in 1914. It is a copy from 1/11/2008 Master Oxalate List composed by Helen O'Connor from 23 sources. I refer to it frequently.
I am on several limiting diets that I call my CDOFF list. Basically I avoid root vegetables (except carrots), dairy, carbs, fats (no fried foods), fiber (no green leafies), chocolates, and bread. I suggest using the list you got from your physician and eliminating 3 of the worst oxalate offenders at a time. Hopefully you will see better test results and feel better as time goes on.

@mjctexas My oxalate tests use blood and urine. I have found the lists on the internet to be confusing and contradictory. How old is your list? The list I use I got from my clinical assistant in 1914. It is a copy from 1/11/2008 Master Oxalate List composed by Helen O'Connor from 23 sources. I refer to it frequently.
I am on several limiting diets that I call my CDOFF list. Basically I avoid root vegetables (except carrots), dairy, carbs, fats (no fried foods), fiber (no green leafies), chocolates, and bread. I suggest using the list you got from your physician and eliminating 3 of the worst oxalate offenders at a time. Hopefully you will see better test results and feel better as time goes on.

@2011panc, this isn't about oxalates per se but it was the only way I could re-post some important info. Plse accept my apologies – both of them, LOL. Meanwhile, I hope this helps explain the delay in getting new recipes to everyone.

I have just been diagnosed the stage3 CDK. I really thought they had made a mistake. Now I face yet another diet. I lost my thyroid 10 years ago to Cancer. I had to have screening after my surgery and before Radiation(oral). I was required to eat No processed foods at all.for 2 weeks. The next diet I was recommended to follow was the Mediterranean diet which in fact described our meals pretty closely And since my body fat disappear quickly and my weight has dropped to 120. I am constantly cold. I have been researching diets for the last few days. And, I'm totally confused. I have also been told Not to take Vitamins of any kind.

I have just been diagnosed the stage3 CDK. I really thought they had made a mistake. Now I face yet another diet. I lost my thyroid 10 years ago to Cancer. I had to have screening after my surgery and before Radiation(oral). I was required to eat No processed foods at all.for 2 weeks. The next diet I was recommended to follow was the Mediterranean diet which in fact described our meals pretty closely And since my body fat disappear quickly and my weight has dropped to 120. I am constantly cold. I have been researching diets for the last few days. And, I'm totally confused. I have also been told Not to take Vitamins of any kind.

@afspouse, please do not use this recipe collection until you have checked with your physician, renal dietitian, and/or your care team. I take it you are not diabetic so many of my recipes might not be appropriate for you.

I have just been diagnosed the stage3 CDK. I really thought they had made a mistake. Now I face yet another diet. I lost my thyroid 10 years ago to Cancer. I had to have screening after my surgery and before Radiation(oral). I was required to eat No processed foods at all.for 2 weeks. The next diet I was recommended to follow was the Mediterranean diet which in fact described our meals pretty closely And since my body fat disappear quickly and my weight has dropped to 120. I am constantly cold. I have been researching diets for the last few days. And, I'm totally confused. I have also been told Not to take Vitamins of any kind.

@afspouse I suggest you talk to a nutritionist about your diet(s). I am on limitation diets to reduce fats, fiber, carbs, oxalate, and dairy. Many kidney disease patients are also encouraged to reduce potassium and (something else I don't remember right now). Part of following diets for conditions for me is watching my lab tests. Things can change from time to time and you may need to add/reduce certain things over time based on your current condition. I have no doubt that once you become adjusted to your body's needs it will become easier for you to move on. I believe part of what you are dealing with today is shock at your diagnoses and feeling overwhelmed at the need to change your daily living patterns. Take your time to grieve the loss of your health, but begin taking steps to manage your conditions right away. Blessings to you on your journey. Mine started over 40 years ago.